For parents of newborns, finding out that their baby has hearing loss will feel overwhelming and discouraging. Babies who have hearing loss can do well with early diagnosis and intervention, which is good news. Indeed, they are able to gaining linguistic skills, refining their communication techniques, and forming profound connections with their surroundings, ultimately bring about a rich and fulfilling existence.
Hearing aids and cochlear implants are two highly beneficial tools for helping babies with hearing loss. We’ll explore how they work and provide guidance on choosing the best solution for your child’s needs.
Understanding Infant Hearing Loss
Causes of infant hearing loss: Numerous aspects to think about:
- Hereditary traits (even in the absence of a family background)
- Congenital infections like cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella
- Complications during birth, such as lack of oxygen or prematurity
- Certain medications used in neonatal intensive care
Early diagnosis is crucial. Babies in the United States go through hearing loss assessment before being discharged from the hospital. Pediatric professionals follow “1-3-6” hearing protocol.
- Screened by 1 month
- Diagnosed by 3 months
- Intervention (with hearing devices or therapy) started by 6 months
Meeting these milestones gives infants the best opportunity for healthy speech, language, and brain development. If you need advice on these assessments, your pediatrician will be glad to help!
Hearing Aids for Babies
Hearing aids are frequently the initial treatment option for babies who have differing degrees of hearing impairment. These little, portable devices boost audio signals, enabling infants to better detect and comprehend voices and surrounding noises.
Hearing aids are:
- Appropriate for infants just a few weeks old
- Designed with gentle, cozy earpieces that adjust according to the baby’s development
- Featuring secure battery compartments and child-friendly design features
- Custom-programmed by a pediatric audiologist to match your child’s hearing profile
As your infant grows, it will be required to routinely update and tweak the hearing aids to guarantee they fit properly and work properly.
Cochlear Implants for Infants
A cochlear implant might be suggested for an infant with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss who does not obtain sufficient benefit from hearing aids.
Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants:
- Are implanted with a surgical procedure
- Bypass damaged parts of the inner ear
- Convert audio into electric impulses that directly stimulate the hearing nerve
Cochlear implants are:
- Endorsed by the FDA for use in infants aged 9 to 12 months
- Most successful when paired with early therapy and family support
- Only recommended following a comprehensive evaluation by an audiologist and an ENT specialist
This procedure includes imaging, hearing exams, and discussions about long-term expectations and outcomes.
How Cochlear Implants Contrast from Traditional Hearing Aids
Hearing aids:
- Mild to severe hearing loss
- Non-Invasive
- Sound processing amplification
- Starts at Infancy
Cochlear Implants:
- Severe to profound hearing loss
- Invasive (Surgical)
- Converts Sound Electrical Signals
- Starts at 9-12 Months
Comparing Sound Enhancement Solutions: A Concluding Analysis
Following a diagnosis of hearing loss in your baby, numerous choices and resources are available to assist you navigate this experience. With the assistance of pediatric hearing experts, many children go on to develop language skills that are on par with their peers.
Taking swift action can have a profound and lasting effect on a child’s life, regardless of whether they require hearing aids or cochlear implants to address their hearing needs.
Do you have any inquiries regarding your infant’s hearing wellness? Get in touch with to us today for a complete evaluation and individualized care plan.
Sources:
cdc.gov/ hearing-loss-children-guide/ parents-guide/understanding-hearing-loss. html.
boystownhospital.org/knowledge-center/hearing-aids-babies.
hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/cochlear-implants/childrens-.
cochlear-implants.
dukehealth.org/blog/hearing-aids-vs-cochlear-implants.